The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement of the fast tracked planning processes for those whose homes and businesses have been impacted by the recent bushfires.

The new streamlined processes allow for some planning exemptions for applications to dwellings either or businesses damaged or destroyed by bushfire after 1 January 2019. The fast tracked process includes exemptions from advertising processes as well as being exempt from third party appeals to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. An additional measure also allows a CEO or delegate to make decisions on applications, rather than the applications going through the full council process.

The identified planning exemptions are in addition to a number of existing measures the Victorian Government has put in place to assist Victorians impacted by the recent bushfires in their rebuild process. Such existing measures include allowing bushfire affect Victorians to build temporary residential or commercial accommodation on their land without a planning permit, subject to safety requirements.

HIA fully supports the Victorian Government getting behind those who have been displaced in this bushfire emergency. Such measures will assist thousands of people impacted by the recent bushfires to progress through the rebuilding process more smoothly and efficiently.

HIA continues to work with Bushfire Recovery Victoria to assist in implementing measures that will assist Victorians affected by the bushfires. If you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact Teresa Davis via email or alternatively 03 9280 8230.